t

pre-eminent advantages and comprehensive examination, determined. Willing to wave unavailing questions, and " perverse difput

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ings," and to promote the practical improvement of mankind, it is folicitous only that "faith fhould flourish, and corruption "be overcome; and that the truth, which "has been fo long without fruit*," correspondent to its excellency, fhould be reverenced in its important maxims, and be obeyed in its falutary and eternal laws.

SERMON VII.

2 TIM. ii. 19, 20.

Nevertheless the foundation ftandeth fure, having this feal, the Lord knoweth them that are his; and let every one that nameth the name of Chrift depart from iniquity. But in a great houfe there are not only veffels of gold and of filver, but also of wood and of earth; and fome to honour, and fome to dishonour.

IN

N condemning the profane and cankering vanity of thofe, who, " concerning the "truth, had erred," and who had "over"thrown the faith of fome," the apostle reflects with confolation, that nevertheless the foun ation ftandeth fure; on which all who should rest, as on a folid principle, should be confirmed under the feal* of the Divine ap

*

2 Tim. ch. ii. ver. 19. ver. 5. Ephef. ch. i. ver. 13.

S 2

2 Cor. ch. i. ver. 22. ch. v. ch. iv. ver. 30.

probation;

probation; characterized as the Difciples of God, amidst the unworthy, and fanctified as heirs of eternal glory.

In reverence for that facred foundation, which was established as the ground-work of reform in this country, it is fatisfactory to confider, that its immoveable principles were uniformly refpected; and hence it was, that those who "fet forward the work" perceived it to profper in their hands; and like the returning captives who rebuilt the Temple of Jerufalem, having feparated themselves "from the filthinefs of the land," refused again" to break the commandments of the

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Lord, and join in affinity with the people "of abominations ;" and " experienced the "hand of God upon them for good*," enabling them to finish it according to his commandment, notwithstanding the machinations of those who ftrove to fruftrate their purpose, and by concealed and open induftry to undermine and overturn the fabric.

In reviewing the ftruggles of that antichriftian fuperftition which writhed under the foot of the victorious faith, and the exertions of

21.

* Ezra, ch. iii. ver. 8. ch. iv. ver. 5. ch. vi. ver. 14, ch. viii. ver. 22. ch. ix. ver. 14.

that

that wild fpirit of innovation which rofe into vigour, under powerful and ambitious patronage, we lament indeed, in their first mischief, fome wounds inflicted on the strength and beauty of the ascendant form; but which difturbed not the steady and consistent firmness of the Reformation, preferving its character unshaken by danger, and moderate in its most triumphant success.

It should not detract from the reverence due to a Church, which hath "holden faft "Chrift's name," and hath not denied his faith, if a few things" fhould be found. written against it; nor need there be any folicitude to deny that individuals have often. deviated from the maxims of public profeffion. Impartial reflection may exult, however, on a retrospect of the operation of those principles which are confecrated in characteriftic diftinction of our Church; and the influence of which it would be injurious not to confider in the estimation of its pretenfions. In the profecution of our fubject, therefore, we fhall endeavour to illuftrate their effect through fucceffive periods; not by strained and unqualified panegyric, but by a reference to fubftantial and incontrovertible proofs of excellence.